Hello - It's Me

This week's Mojo Monday sketch motivated me to use the CTMH Stamp of the Month, From the Notebook (available only in July).  I love how it came together!  

Materials used to make the card:

Stamp sets: From the Notebook, Tickled Pink
Cardstock (all Close To My Heart): Black, Raspberry, White Daisy
Paper: Calypso
Inks (all Close To My Heart): Black pigment ink, Cotton Candy, Pixie
Extras: Gold foil tape, Tickled Pink Thin Cuts (not available), Thin 3-D Foam Tape, White Card Base (bulk package)

Check out the sketch at Mojo Monday! 

Mojo Monday 455 - Calypso Card

I'm excited to get back into blogging, and I'm kicking it off with participating in the Mojo Monday card sketch challenge! I used the super cute sketch to create this card. 

I'm crazy about the flamingos in the Tickled Pink stamp set, and it also has a coordinating set of Tickled Pink Thin Cuts! It was my first time using the Thin Cuts, and they worked like a charm. 

The CTMH clear acrylic stamps make it super easy to line up the stamp on the Thin Cut, too. The paper is Calypso. And how about those Calypso sequins? They are just the cutest! These items are only available through July 31. 

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day 12: Chalkboard Technique

This one is getting in just under the wire! We're almost there - thanks for counting down to Valentine's Day with me! Today's project is not only my countdown project, but it also works for two challenges - Mojo Monday and the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Love Is in the Air challenge. 

I tried the trendy chalkboard technique. I used the CTMH Chalkboard paper (12 x 12) and White Daisy pigment ink to stamp the sentiments. I used the heat gun to set the ink a little, but I also wanted some smudges to look like erased chalk. (That's my story, at least - and I'm sticking to it!) I will definitely be trying this technique often.

Countdown to Valentine's Day - Day 8: A Little Valentine Mojo

I took advantage of this week's fun Mojo Monday sketch to create the card for today's countdown. I used some brand-new products, like the washi tape - LOVE!

Items used (all Close To My Heart):

• For Always paper packet
• Black & Grey Glitter Paper
• Perfect Fit - Frames stamp set
• Salutation Seals stamp set
• Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape
• Art Philosophy Cricut Collection
• Artiste Cricut Collection
• Bling assortment (retired)
• White embroidery floss
• 3-D Foam Tape
• Ruler

Mojo Monday meets Dotty for You

When I saw the sketch for Mojo Monday this week, I knew exactly which paper I'd use - the big dots from Dotty for You. I also used the April Stamp of the Month, You Are... . I love the result!

You can purchase the Stamp of the Month for $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50. The purchase may also qualify you to receive the Dotty for You paper packet for $5 ($35 order from the Spring/Summer Idea Book).

Items used:
You Are...
Dotty for You paper packet
Grey Wool cardstock
Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment
Sparkles Blue & Green Assortment

  

I'm lovin' Lucy!

This sweet paper packet is perfect for a birthday card for someone special. I love the soft colors in "Lucy!" When I saw this week's Mojo Monday sketch, I immediately pictured a flower pot on the front of the card. Love how it turned out!

Can you guess which shape on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge I used to make the flower pot? I adapted the present by making a few small adjustments! First, measure in 1/2" from each side and draw a line up to then part that extends slightly at the top. Cut along each line.

Cut off the bow at the top - instant flower pot! I used the gray wool marker to shade it just a little because it looked too flat.



The flowers are the Paradise Paper Flowers, and the leaves were cut using Art Philosophy. I attached them to a small piece of cardstock so a little message could be pulled out like this from the flower pot that is raised a little using 3-D foam tape --



The center of the flower is CTMH baker's twine, coiled on a glue dot. After taking these pictures, I decided the center needed a little adhesive pearl.

Of course, the inside needs to be pretty, too!

The sentiment was double-stamped: first, in first generation Cotton Candy ink, then in second generation Gray Wool, slightly offset to give the illusion of a shadow. I love the look!







Another Florentine card with some Mojo 229

Even though this sketch is from last week, I really wanted to make a card using it. Do you ever see a card or layout in your head and just have to make it? That's how this card was!

I really, really wanted to try making the crinkled ribbon using the new CTMH Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon. It was very quick and easy to make. I sprayed a length of seam binding using rubbing alcohol and re-inker mixed in the Spray Pen. I spritzed away until the ribbon was a little darker than I wanted it to be, since I knew it would dry lighter. I scrunched the ribbon as I spritzed it, the scrunched it up as small as I could. I dried it with the heat gun, holding the ribbon with craft tweezers. Keep the heat gun moving so the ribbon doesn't scorch. It dried in just a few quick minutes with a nice rumpled, crinkly look. 

The stamp set for this card is one of many A-size stamp sets (only $6.95!). I love how quick a cute card comes together with this darling stamp. I inked the heart in Goldrush ink, then used the sponge daubers to add some Olive and Twilight ink. 

I used these products to make the card:

Florentine Level 2 Paper Packet
Adore
Spray Pens
Just Blooms - Flutter
Foundry Pin Clips
Bohemian Assortment
Bouquet Assortment
Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon

And the sketch --

   

Mojo Monday 228 - 5 x 7 Card

I'm focusing on the paper packet Florentine this month, and the more I use it, the more I like it! The cardstock-weight B&T paper can be perfect for a card. I like the way it dresses up the inside of the card without adding much weight.

Items used:

Paper: Florentine Level 2 Paper Packet, Colonial White cardstock

Stamps: Remarkable Wreath

Inks: Cocoa, Goldrush, Twilight, Olive

Embellishments: Bohemian Assortment, Foundry Pin Clips, Designer Ribbon Blue Collection

Other: Art Philosophy Collection

Tools: Photo corner punch (EK Success), score board (Martha Stewart), bone folder

Mojo Monday 227 - Florentine card

It has been ages since I've played along with Mojo Monday! It's exciting to be back in the swing of things. This week's card uses a brand-new CTMH paper packet: Florentine. I love the color combination and the sweet, romantic prints. The card also features the new bohemian assortment and the February Stamp of the Month, Thoughtful Tidings. Scroll down for a list of all products used.

Products used:

Paper: Florentine Level 2 Paper Packet, Colonial White and Cocoa cardstock

Ink: Cocoa, Twilight

Stamps: February SOTM - Thoughtful Tidings

Embellishments: Bohemian Assortment, Bouquet Assortment, Foundry Pin Clips

Tools: Cricut Art Philosophy

Believe Christmas Card

I'm so excited to be able to make some new cards and projects! This card is for two challenges -  Mojo Monday (sketch) and Heart 2 Heart (inspiration photo). The oval image was cut using Art Philosophy. I love that cartridge! So many of our stamp images are designed to coordinate with the images on the Cricut cartridge. Super easy!

Items Used:
Believe Level 2 Paper Packet
Art Philosophy
Cardstock/Ink: White Daisy, Holiday Red, Topiary, Sweet Leaf, Gray Wool
D1492 - Christmas Love
C1469 - December 25th
S1110 - Holiday Magic
Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Designer Brads - Rhinestone
Bitty Sparkles
3-D Foam Tape

Here is the sketch and inspiration photo for the card:

A Little Mojo for Father's Day

I'm combining challenges again (I love it when that happens!). This 5" x 7" Father's Day card follows the Mojo Monday 195 sketch. The other challenge is for Heart 2 Heart Challenges: create a background using ink to make a Father's Day card. Done! I used one of CTMH's wonderful background stamp sets to make the "wood paneling." Super easy!

Items used:

• Stamp sets: Universal Backgrounds (D1477); Enjoy Life (C1439); A Little Everything (D1408); Chairs to You (May SOTM)
• Paper: Lucky Level 2 Paper Packet
• Cardstock: Olive, Outdoor Denim, Kraft
• Inks: Cocoa, Outdoor Denim
• Embellishments: Kraft Color-Ready Borders; Wooden Buttons; Hemp; Twill; Metal Bitty Brads; distressing kit (sanding block); sponge; 3-D foam tape
• Other: Nestabilities Labels One

To give the cardstock an aged look, I sanded it with the sanding block then sponged on Cocoa ink. The chair was stamped directly onto B&T paper and cut out. I used Bitty Brads as the tufting buttons on the chair. Looks comfortable enough for Dad, right?

Update - My card was in the Top Ten for Heart 2 Heart Challenges! Thanks, ladies!

Bliss Wedding Card

"Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam... And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva...So tweasure your wuv." - from The Princess Bride. (Any other fans of The Princess Bride?)

We have weddings on the brain around my house. My daughter is engaged, and the wedding is just about a year away. I'll be making her wedding invitations, but for now, I'm settling for making a wedding card. The card is for two different challenges: Mojo Monday 194 and Heart 2 Heart Challenges - Wedding.

Bliss Wedding Card - Front

Bliss Wedding Card - Inside

To make the card, I used the following materials (all from Close To My Heart):

• Stamp sets: C1444 - Precious Love; B1371 - Bliss; Gracious Greetings (retired)
• Cardstock: Sorbet, Chocolate, Vanilla Cream
• B&T Paper: Bliss (Workshop on the Go)
• Ink: Gray Wool, Sorbet
• Embellishments: Colonial White Mini Medley, Bliss Level 2 Assortment, Pearl Opaques Adhesive Gems, Sorbet Ribbon Rounds (retired)

The card follows the Mojo Monday 194 sketch:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Four - X's and O's Standard Card

What would Valentine's Day be without Valentine's Day cards? This little card was inspired by a Mojo Monday sketch from a few weeks ago.

I used some different stamping techniques on this card. For the background on the smaller rectangle, I inked the "X O" stamp in Baby Pink then rolled the edges in Black (Technique #1 - stamp rolling). I stamped the image on a piece of scrap paper then directly on the White Daisy cardstock (Technique #2 - second generation stamping). I did that for each image, cleaning my stamp between inkings. I also used the large plaid heart stamp to create a textured look on the Dimensional Elements hearts. I don't know if that counts as a technique, but I like the effect!

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet; White Daisy cs; Black cs; Cotton Candy cs
Ink: Baby Pink; Black
Stamps: Love Ya!
Embellishments: Dimensional Elements Hearts; Brads - Metal Assortment; Black grosgrain ribbon (retired)
Other: Nestabilities - Classic Ovals Small; Classic Ovals Large

Check out the projects from other CTMH consultants:

Miracle card

This is a sneak peek at brand-new product available in the Spring/Summer 2010 Idea Book on February 1. The paper is called "Miracle," and the bird is from the January Stamp of the Month, "Find Your Style." I stamped the bird with brown Staz-On ink and sponged on some Crystal Blue ink, then cut the bird out and attached it with 3-D Foam Tape.

The stamp set and sketch worked perfectly for two challenges -- Mojo Monday and Heart 2 Heart. Enjoy!

Items used:
Paper: Miracle Level 2 Paper Packet
Stamp set: Find Your Style
Ink: Brown Staz-On; Crystal Blue
Embellishments: Sweet Leaf Designer Ribbon (retired); Colonial White Designer Ribbon
Other: Bulk Colonial White card bases; 3-D Foam Tape

Mojo Monday Sketch 150

This sketch was so fun to use! I love the scallop along the bottom, and the scallop pattern in the paper worked perfectly along with the design.

Heart 2 Heart Color Challenge & Mojo Monday 149

Ahhh, challenges! I love 'em! I have been busy making cards and scrapbook pages for the upcoming Stamp of the Month blog hop (August 1!), so I'm giving you a sneak peek at the August Stamp of the Month on this card. Don't you love the beautiful flower? I can't get enough of it!

I have tied together two challenges again this week -- the Heart 2 Heart color challenge using Vineyard Berry, Blush, and Creme Brulee (quite a challenging little color combo!) and the Mojo Monday sketch. Hope you enjoy!